IN LINE with the activities slated for its fiesta celebration, this coastal municipality of Masantol is hosting the national competition for motorboat race to be held along the portion of Pampanga River on Sunday, May 5.
Dubbed as “Bancarera Philippines,” at least 60 motorboats joined this year’s competition which will be divided into two categories - the open formula for speed engine and diesel formula for slow engine.
Councilorable and former coastal emergency officer Marcelo “Bajun” Lacap said boat riders from all over the country are participating in this year’s race which kicks off at the Municipal Port in Barangay Bebe Anac.
“We have participants from Samar, Bicol, Bataan, La Union, Batangas, Cavite, and all the way from Mindanao because this is one of the most anticipated events for boat riders,” Lacap said.
Lacap said the hosting of this year’s Bancarera event is a chance for the local government here and its private sector partners, as well as the residents, to promote this municipality as another tourism destination in the country.
Moreover, Lacap, who is also a member of the environmental group BakaJuan, said that the activity will also urge boat riders and operators to spare trees in making their boats and instead switched to other modern materials.
“We are encouraging the participants and even boat enthusiasts to use other materials instead of wood. Every year, several trees are cut down to become boats but there are already other materials such as fiber glass,” he said.
Likewise, Lacap said that the event is also aimed at showcasing the beauty and promoting the cleanliness of the Pampanga River to reach its potential of becoming a venue for sports activities and other tourism events.
“We are also hopeful that concerned officials will see the pollution in the Pampanga River and implement measures to revive its beauty so it can be promoted as a tourism destination,” he said.